Methadone Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, and Treatment

MOUD (oral) Maintain once-daily requirement (30-100+mg daily), Provider licensure for outpatient induction and maintenance for OUD. You or your pharmacy will have to contact your doctor for a new prescription if you need this medication refilled. You may need to be monitored for low blood pressure, breathing problems, and sedation. If you develop these symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

At The Recover, we understand that making the decision to overcome methadone dependence is both courageous and overwhelming. That’s why we’ve dedicated ourselves to providing comprehensive, reliable information and resources to support you through every stage of your recovery journey. Smart Recovery groups take a different approach, focusing on evidence-based strategies and personal empowerment rather than spiritual principles. These meetings often appeal to individuals who prefer cognitive-behavioral approaches to recovery. Signs of severe depression or suicidal thoughts always warrant immediate professional help.

Methadone Side Effects

After methadone withdrawal symptoms peak between days three and eight, it can take around 10 days for withdrawal symptoms to subside. In some cases, it may take longer for withdrawal to resolve completely. We provide comprehensive treatment for drug addiction, including dual diagnosis and primary mental health conditions, ensuring holistic care for our guests. Recovery from methadone dependence is absolutely possible with the right combination of medical support, natural remedies, and comprehensive planning.

Others may use Methadone without a valid medical prescription, which is frequently obtained illegally. Combining Methadone with other substances, such as benzodiazepines or alcohol, can also result in dangerous interactions and increase the severity of its effects. Furthermore, some people may deceive their healthcare providers by exaggerating their pain or withdrawal symptoms in order to receive higher Methadone doses. Trying to quit Methadone on your own can be extremely difficult and, in many cases, dangerous.

methadone withdrawal

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If you take this medication on a regular basis, be sure to schedule appointments with your doctor so that you do not run out of medication. Introduced in the 1940s, Methadone is one of the longest acting μ-opioid receptor analgesics and is unique among clinically used opioids due to its racemic formulation. It has found wide clinical use as a long-acting analgesic, especially in advanced cancer pain, as well as in the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Below is a list of medications that can interact with methadone. This list doesn’t contain all drugs that may interact with X drug. If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or local poison control center.

methadone withdrawal

Methadone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and cravings can be powerful triggers for relapse. Managing methadone withdrawal is a complex process that medical professionals should always guide. At Thoroughbred Wellness and Recovery, we believe in a holistic, evidence-based approach that addresses withdrawal’s physical and psychological aspects. Alcohol can worsen withdrawal symptoms and interfere with medications used to manage withdrawal discomfort. It also increases the risk of dehydration and can complicate medical treatment if emergency care becomes necessary.

Other signs might include insomnia, a racing heart, or even gastrointestinal issues. Have you ever felt like your body was on a wild roller coaster ride? Methadone can also cause a potentially life-threatening overdose, especially when mixed with other substances such as benzodiazepines, antibiotics, and alcohol. Unfortunately, there have been cases of people dying during opioid withdrawal, specifically from heart failure caused by extreme dehydration.

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This is the most popular tapering regimen, possibly because it can be implemented on an outpatient basis. The first step to stopping methadone is consulting with your prescribing doctor. Together, you can create a plan to ease you off methadone using a gradual tapering program. Specific topics of discussion can help your doctor design methadone withdrawal an individualized tapering plan for you.

Reach out to Thoroughbred Wellness and Recovery for compassionate, evidence-based care. Our team is here to guide you every step of the way, from detoxification to long-term recovery. This means that if you stop taking methadone suddenly or reduce your dose too quickly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. In some cases, your healthcare team may prescribe other medications to help combat the symptoms of withdrawal.

Methadone is available in a number of formulations, including oral tablets, as well as what is Oxford House IV, intramuscular, and liquid solutions. The most common routes of administration for methadone are an oral tablet or a concentrated syrup. The possibility of psychosis due to a general medical condition was considered due to the presentation of paranoid delusions alongside a history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension. On the mental status examination, the patient appeared disheveled with poor grooming.

  • Understanding the symptoms you might encounter and the timeline of withdrawal is crucial for navigating this process.
  • However, stopping methadone can result in withdrawal symptoms that last up to 14 days, with some people experiencing symptoms for months.
  • By Corinne O’Keefe OsbornCorinne Osborn is an award-winning health and wellness journalist with a background in substance abuse, sexual health, and psychology.
  • The length of time it takes to undergo methadone withdrawal depends upon the dose of methadone you have been taking.

However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related heart, kidney, liver, or lung problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving methadone. Methadone belongs to the group of medicines called opioid analgesics (pain medicines). By law, only a SAMHSA-certified Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) can dispense methadone for the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder. Your OTP can become accredited and certified to treat substance use disorders. By Corinne O’Keefe OsbornCorinne Osborn is an award-winning health and wellness journalist with a background in substance abuse, sexual health, and psychology. These numbers aren’t pretty, but don’t let them scare or discourage you.

Managing Methadone Withdrawal in a Medical Detox Program

A doctor monitors your methadone intake and response to make sure that the withdrawal process is safe and effective. The doctor continues the therapy until your body no longer needs methadone at all. Treating methadone withdrawal is similar to treating other forms of opioid withdrawal. It should focus on managing both physical and psychological symptoms while lowering the risk of returning to unsafe opioid use. Those wanting to get off methadone quickly may agree to a fast-tapering schedule. Fast tapers work best when monitored on an inpatient basis due to the likelihood methadone withdrawal symptoms will reappear.

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